Heartfelt message to others – brave Kate Middleton tells cancer sufferers ‘you are not alone’ after princess’ diagnosis
BRAVE Princess Kate has told cancer sufferers “you are not alone” after her own diagnosis.
The mum-of-three, 42, released a touching video statement to reveal she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing “preventative chemotherapy“.
In the video message, Kate Middleton said the news had come as a “huge shock” to herself, her husband Prince William and to their three young children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
But the courageous mother revealed a heartfelt message to other cancer sufferers in her message.
She said: “At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
“For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
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In her video message, Kate admitted it had been an “incredibly tough couple of months” for her entire family – but was thankful for the messages of support.
She said: “I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.
“It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.”
The diagnosis came after Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January.
And while the surgery was a success, with medics initially thinking her condition was “non-cancerous”, tests after the operation detected the disease.
Kate was then advised to undergo chemotherapy – and is now in the early stages of treatment.
The mother-of-three is choosing not to share the type of cancer.
The diagnosis was the reason that William pulled out of a thanksgiving service at Windsor last month for a “personal matter”, it is understood.
Kate and William have told their children of the news, who broke up from school for Easter holidays today.
In the video – filmed at Windsor on Wednesday – she said: “It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
“But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.
“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. “
Kate has not been seen at any official Royal engagements since Christmas.
Princess Kate's message in full
I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.
It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful.
However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that
treatment.
This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to
George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.
As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.
Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you.
It means so much to us both. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.
At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope.
You are not alone.
The Princess of Wales has spoken to King Charles, 75, who revealed his cancer diagnosis six weeks ago.
His Majesty is said to have started receiving “pioneering” treatment and will return regularly to London for care.
Charles is expected to have further cancer treatment as an out-patient in London this month and the Palace has yet to set a date for his return to frontline duties.
According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 375,000 new cancer cases in the UK every year.
In females, there are more than 182,000 new cancer cases every year.
Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer.